Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Blue Eye, Iris is Bluish, Lacks Pigment
Summary
Horses with blue eyes (lack of pigment of the iris) do not necessarily have any more eye-related problems than those with pigmented irises. However, horses with blue eyes surrounded by pink eyelid skin are predisposed to developing squamous cell carcinoma of both the eye and eyelids. This is especially true at high altitudes, where ultraviolet light is more intense.
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Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources
your role
What To Do
Preferentially select horses with pigment around their eyelids. Monitor unpigmented skin around eyes for changes that might indicate cancer, and contact your vet with your findings and concerns.Protect horses that do have pink skin around the eye by trying to reduce ultraviolet light exposure. Use ultraviolet light blocking fly masks and the horse out at night instead of the day. Tattooing the eyelids may be a possibility to discuss with your vet.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
Less Common
your vet's role
When your vet performs routine work on your horse, they may pay particular attention to eyes without pigment around them, examining closely for cancer and pre-cancerous changes.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Can you see anything else going on with the eye(s)?
- Does the horse lack pigment (have pink skin) around the eye?
- How old is the horse?
- Are flies bothering the horse's eyes?
- Are one or both eyes affected?
- Do the eyes appear irritated?
- Do you notice the eye watering or any discharge?
- Do you notice the horse squinting or holding the eye closed?
- Does the horse wear a fly mask?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
